Donald Ray Mason, age 78, passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning, October 19, 2021 due to complications of pneumonia and congestive heart failure. Don was born on July 13, 1943 in Wichita, Kansas. Don was raised in Collinsville, Oklahoma, where he excelled in just about everything he did. From band, to football, track, baseball and especially basketball. Don went to Oklahoma State on a basketball scholarship and ended up with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1965. Don’s relationship with music started with his mother, who was a concert level pianist and instilled his love for music at an early age. He was a member of many small music groups both in high school and college, first playing the trumpet, then the bass, then the drums and finally the keyboard.
Don started his journalism career working for an oil & gas journal in Tulsa. From there he had a short stent as a speech writer and photographer for Oral Roberts and then moved to Arkansas and worked for six years as a publicist for Murphy Oil in El Dorado. His love of golf was developed there when he realized everyone in the office that played golf took the afternoon off several times a week. That was the beginning of a life-long sport which he shared with his son Rodney, and made many endearing friends at Palmetto Country Club and Querbes Golf Park. He continued to play right up until he contracted Covid in August of 2020.
While still working in Arkansas, Don purchased a newspaper and an insurance agency and, after a few years, was able to sell both for a significant profit. Thinking he had stockpiled enough money for a lifetime, and while watching the story of Hank Williams’ life, he felt the yearning to be a full-time musician. He never liked waking up early in the morning and thought the nightlife would be a perfect fit. He hired a booking agent and in 1978 he secured a job at the Revanna Inn Bossier City. He met his wife Susan in 1979 and, as he always jokingly said, “she followed me home and never left.”
Music, golf, fishing, and his family is how Don spent the remaining years of his life. He entertained in over forty different venues and the audience always loved the special attention he gave to them, whether singing happy birthday, celebrating an anniversary, or more importantly, remembering their favorite song when they walked in the door. He developed many lifelong friends in the music industry, not only local but on various online music forums both in the United States and other countries. He was always happy to help a fellow musician develop their craft. He was also proud of being a member of the Bossier Parish Posse and was honored by the loving care and concern that they gave him during his various illnesses.
Don leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife of 41 years, Susan Bourque Mason, his three children, Rodney Mason (Melanie), Terry Don Mason, Max Mason (Miranda), and his four grandsons Maddox, Cooper, J.J. and Zack Mason. Although Don was an only child, he is survived by a large extended family including his brother- in-law, John Bourque (Carol), his sister in-law Carolyn Ward(Gerry), his sister-in-law Janie Gorum(Steve) and a very special extended family member, Paula Claudis. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Dorothy Sapp Mason; his number one fan and mother-in-law, Marie Bourque, and his brother-in-law, Freddy Bourque.
Don would like to be remembered as being a good friend who strived to do his best. He was confident in his salvation and trusted in the plan God had for his life.
Services for Mr. Mason will be Monday, October 25 at Hill Crest Haughton. Visitation will be held between 9am-11am, followed by the Funeral at 11:00, with Ftr. Pike Thomas.
The family wants to thank Dr. Sanjay Shah and Dr. Paul Cole for their many years of care and comfort given to Don and for the many nurses and staff at Willis Knighton that strived to care for him during his multiple hospital visits.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Jude Catholic Church, 4700 Palmetto Road, Benton, LA.
